Having ridden until the sun had long gone down, Abel was extremely glad to be helped down from the horse when they finally stopped at the edge of his old town. He'd been dozing during most of the ride, but as he stood there, staring down from the small hill they were currently standing on, he could feel his stomach gurgle with worry.

"Abel?"

Blinking back from his thoughts, Abel looked up to see Kirin offering him a hand. "We will get a room for tonight and deal with everything else tomorrow."

He wanted to argue that he didn't have the time to wait, but knew that Kirin likely wouldn't listen anyway. "Yes, sir," Abel eventually mumbled as he took Kirin's hand and allowed him to lead him inside the small, warm inn. After traveling all day, he was aching terribly and quite hungry, though his angry stomach likely wouldn't allow food.

They stopped only long enough for Kirin to buy them a room and get a key before he was being pulled down a small hall. It was dimly lit with only a candle at either end, giving them just enough light to allow Kirin to fit the old key into the lock and open it. There was no candle to be seen as they stepped inside, but the small window that opened up to look out on the night sky over the town allowed in just enough light from the moon so that they could see without running into each other or any of the walls.

Once Kirin set his things down near the single bed, he turned to Abel, making him fidget where he stood. He was hesitant to get near the bed with Kirin standing by it, but knew he shouldn't be. It had just been a mistake, yet he couldn't seem to get the hesitance out of his mind. Kirin seemed to catch it, too, because as soon as he finished tugging off his shirt and dropped it to the floor, he walked over to Abel. Abel wanted to back away, but there wasn't but a step or two behind him before he would hit the wall, so it wasn't worth it. Instead, he braced himself and, sinking his teeth into his lower lip, straightened his back and lifted his head high.

He wasn't sure what he'd expected the man to do exactly, but when Kirin just gave him a tired smile and turned to walk over to a small dresser with a bowl of water and two small folded pieces of cloth on it, he blinked, confused. Abel stood stock-still for one long silent minute before Kirin was back, one of the squares of cloth in his hand, wet from being dipped into the water, then wrung out.

"Abel, please let me see if your injury opened up again. It was bleeding earlier."

Hearing the strained worry in his voice had Abel hesitantly did as asked. He was embarrassed, but he just kept reminding himself that they had made a simple mistake, even though he felt an odd twinge in his chest each time he did so. He easily removed his shirt, since it would fall over his backside if left on. Then, when he finally managed to fumble the button undone on his pants, which he had fastened before entering the inn, Kirin helped him carefully tug them over his hips, then let them drop to pool atop his shoes. Immediately he felt Kirin's gaze all over him, but the moment he let his own lift to meet Kirin's, the man's gaze was on his and he was giving him a gentle smile as he leaned forward. Kirin's left arm wrapped around his waist, holding him close as the cool cloth trailed down his heated skin to slip into the space that needed to be checked. Abel couldn't help the wince and shiver that forced itself free as a sharp pain stabbed him where the cloth began to massage as Kirin leaned over his shoulder on his tiptoes to see a little.

"It does not look like it bled much more. Hang on for just a moment, and I will clean you up."

I can do it... Abel thought, though he didn't bother actually voicing the words. It hurt quite a bit, and he knew if he was left to do it by himself that he would either put it off, or just not do it at all because of the pain.

"There, all done," Kirin said next to his ear a few moments later, making Abel startle. The lawman gave a deep chuckle and tossed the small cloth into a basket near the door where Abel assumed laundry was to be left if it belonged to the inn. When he returned, Abel had already tugged his pants back up and found himself a seat on a small cushion that had been set on the floor. He had pushed it against the wall so that he could lean back instead of having to force himself to sit up straight. He was tired, but didn't dare get into the bed.

When Kirin came over, he looked like he was about to say something because he opened his mouth, but then quickly shut it before turning and dropping down to sit beside him, back pressed against the wall. Being the only one on the cushion, however, made their height almost equal at that moment as their heads turned to converse.

"Have you thought of anything that might help prove your innocence, Abel? I have a few ideas, but they are not that good..." Kirin said, sounding frustrated as he looked down at the floor, sighing before giving a huge yawn.

"Actually, sir, I believe I have an idea that could work."

The look in the man's eyes made Abel blush slightly as he hurried to explain. "I-I believe that if I pretend to be Ariella again, dressed up and everything, and you return me to father, he may think that I had honestly just disappeared or been kidnapped."

It was a risk, especially going back to his father, but there was very little he had left to work with. And for once, in the past several days, he wanted to try his hardest to continue living.

"Hmm, that could work, but we need more. I am not going to return you to him and then just leave. He could try to kill you the moment he closes the door," Kirin mumbled as he pressed a hand to his mouth, thumb rubbing along his lips thoughtfully. Abel wanted to help him think up something, but each time he tried, he couldn't figure out anything that would reasonably work. His father might drink a good amount, but he was no fool when it came to being tricked. In fact, he was the master of tricking others, considering he'd raised him to be a female and gotten away with it.

"Wait, I remember you saying that your father was interested in getting your female self married in order to take the groom's assets or risk his reputation?"

Abel frowned, nodding.

"Well, I think I have an idea that will keep you safe and also keep me close in case he tries something."

Curious, Abel tilted his head slightly. "What is it?"

Kirin smirked, the smile stretching his lips to create a small dimple in his left cheek. "I will be returning you to him like the good lawman that I am, having found you on the side of the road after you had escaped from your captor. That, of course, means that Abel will not be considered a murderer, as Ariella would be standing right before him."

It wasn't a terrible idea, but it seemed incomplete to Abel.

"But my father can just say that I am pretending to be his daughter," Abel said with a frown.

Kirin grunted, looking back down for a moment before his head snapped up. He was smirking again, making Abel smile a little when the man began to speak again. "Oh, I do not think he will, Abel. Because you will be bringing him a very respectable husband candidate for his lovely daughter, who just so happens to have a decent amount of money and an orchard."

Abel blinked, mouth hanging open slightly as he took in Kirin's words. He understood what he was saying, but still couldn't manage to form words to respond.

"I can just tell him that I fell in love with your charm during our trip back to your home and wish to get to know you more as a possible suitor. And, because I often travel and am quite worn from being in the saddle day in and out, you could suggest that I be offered a spare room if your father believes the first half of the tale."

Crazy, insane lawman.

"He... I... Kirin, that is very dangerous. Your reputation is on the line, and if he calls you out on such trickery—"

Kirin's fingers brushed against his lips, effectively silencing Abel before he could continue as he leaned closer. "Shh. Reputation is not everything, Abel. Besides, I am either loved or hated by the people whom I serve. The only people I honestly care for is that crazy old lady who tried to murder my poor apple trees and a frustratingly truthful boy who I can't seem to wrap my mind around being a bad person."

By the end of his sentence, Kirin's words had become whispers, which were almost impossible to hear, as his breath warmed the place on Abel's lips where his fingers had just dropped away. Their eyes met for a brief moment, but Abel couldn't keep his focused. They kept darting from Kirin's soft lips and back, curiosity and unease warring within his soft emerald eyes.

"May I, Abel...? Just a little," Kirin whispered.

Abel wasn't sure what he was asking at first, but then his mind caught up with the situation as it pushed aside his worry, and he slowly nodded. Kirin wanted a kiss, and after everything he had done for him, he saw no reason to decline such a simple request.

"Yes," he whispered back, gasping when Kirin closed the gap between them instantly. Warm hands moved to press against his cheeks softly as Abel began to move his lips in time with Kirin's. It took some effort to get it right, but when he finally did, he couldn't help but want to continue. Kirin's lips tasted like the apple they had shared earlier in the evening, the tart and slightly sour taste making Abel's mouth water. He wanted more of the kiss. More attention.

Groaning quietly, Abel pressed himself closer, unaware that he had already been pulled into Kirin's lap. His fingers splayed out along the man's upper body, pressing into the firm muscle there as he felt Kirin's hands slowly roam down his back. Everything felt wonderful and deliciously warm until he felt those strong fingers slip beneath the waist of his pants and press against the injury Kirin had previously cleaned. Abel gasped and leaned back, breaking the kiss as he reached a hand around to grasp Kirin's wrist. He didn't need to try to pull on it, however, because Kirin carefully removed his hands from Abel's pants when he realized that he'd hurt him by mistake.

"I am sorry, Abel. I got carried away," Kirin hurried to apologize.

Abel wasn't sure what to say, knowing that it wasn't alright to just get 'carried away' when asking for one thing, then doing another, but he was saved from answering when a soft knock sounded against their door.

"I am leavin' a tray of food out for ya lads. It is a bit cold since ya came in so late, but if yer hungry, feel free to eat up."

When the innkeeper's footsteps faded, leaving silence, Kirin released a tired sigh and gently set Abel back onto the cushion in order to stand and walk toward the door. A moment later, he returned with the small tray of food and sat back down, removing a glass of water to set aside for after. On the tray was a small bit of chicken in some sort of sauce surrounded by a large amount of peas and uncooked carrots.

"Here," Kirin said as he took the one fork and carefully cut up the chicken and speared one piece with the fork. Abel didn't argue and took the fork when it was offered. The chicken was okay, but the sauce tasted a little bitter. Not that he would complain. Food was food, and he was very hungry and his stomach a bit upset with worry. Before he knew it, there were only a few peas and half a carrot left on the plate, and Kirin hadn't even eaten yet.

"You finish the rest, sir. I am full," he lied, but set the fork down on the plate. It was obvious that Kirin thought he wasn't being truthful, considering the look on the man's face, but thankfully, he just grabbed the fork and finished eating the remaining food before setting the tray aside and handing Abel the water. He gladly took it, drinking half of the glass before handing it back so that Kirin could finish it.

When Kirin set the empty cup aside a minute later, Abel fidgeted, thinking about curling up on the floor and using the cushion as a pillow. It wouldn't be very comfortable, but it was already likely early morning, so they wouldn't be sleeping for long anyway. He was about to do just that when Kirin's arms suddenly wrapped around him, carefully lifting his body up as he stood, then just as carefully depositing him on the rickety old bed.

"It will be sunrise in a few hours, Abel, and you need some rest before tomorrow. If you need me to, I shall sleep on the floor..."

Abel quickly shook his head where it lay against the single pillow on the bed. He would not force Kirin to stay on the hard floor while he took the bed that he had paid for. Even as he thought that, Abel still flinched when Kirin lowered himself to the old blanket he was already lying on top of.

"I promise that I will not hurt you again, Abel. You can trust me," Kirin whispered as he settled his body beside his, making their arms touch even though Abel was already lying on his side to try to give Kirin more room on the small bed.

Sleep began to tug at his senses as he found himself pressing his arms against Kirin's left one, eyes closing as a yawn escaped.

"I understand, sir," he eventually whispered as he pressed his forehead against Kirin's shoulder. He could have sworn that Kirin had replied with either a brief touch to his forehead or words, but when he tried to think through his hazy mind, he couldn't come up with anything but the need to rest. So, after feeling one more brief touch, along his back that time, he let his mind drift off.